Preparing for Cold and Flu Season

With fall right around the corner, many people try to take precautions against coming down with a cold or the flu. Not only is getting sick a nuisance, but catching the flu could have more serious consequences — particularly for children, seniors and pregnant women. How do you prepare your body's immune system to fight off the viruses that cause these illnesses?

Wash your hands: You only get sick if viruses enter your body, which usually occurs when you touch your nose or mouth after your hands have come in contact with cold or flu germs. To prevent the spread of illness, wash your hands often — at the very least, before eating and after using the restroom — with soap and warm water for at 15 to 20 seconds. Teach your children to do the same.
Clean your home: Keeping your home clean rids commonly touched surfaces of germs that can affect you and your family. Focus on wiping down kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces and other areas that are touched often, such as door knobs and light switches.
Avoid sick individuals: If you see people displaying symptoms — coughing, sneezing, drippy nose etc. — keep your distance to avoid breathing in their germs. If you touch anything they've touched, such as the coffee pot at the office, go wash your hands immediately to reduce your chances of getting sick yourself.
Don't share: It's hard to avoid your own family when they get sick, but you can avoid sharing with them. Everyone should use their own utensils, drinking glasses, towels and other objects that could transfer germs from person to person. Additionally, teach your children to cover their coughs and sneezes with their arms or a tissue instead of their hands to limit the spread of germs.
Get vaccinated: While there's no vaccination against the common cold, you should consider getting a flu shot in early fall. The CDC has noted that cases of the flu begin as early as October.

Remember, not only is health insurance now the law, but it also comes in handy if you or your children come down with a more serious illness and must visit a doctor.

Get the coverage you need. Call Allen Harmon Insurance at (269) 441-5164 for more information on Battle Creek health insurance.

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